Toilet coupling

Abstract

A toilet includes a toilet tank, a toilet base, at least one coupling receptacle connected to the toilet base, at least one coupling anchor connected to the toilet tank, and at least one flexible collar lock connected to the at least one coupling anchor and configured to flex inwardly in response to contact with the at least one coupling receptacle and flex outwardly to lock the at least one coupling anchor and the toilet tank to the at least one coupling receptacle and the toilet base.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A toilet comprising:
 a toilet tank;   a toilet base;   at least one coupling receptacle connected to the toilet base;   at least one coupling anchor connected to the toilet tank; and   at least one flexible collar lock connected to the at least one coupling anchor and configured to flex inwardly in response to contact with the at least one coupling receptacle and flex outwardly to lock the at least one coupling anchor and the toilet tank to the at least one coupling receptacle and the toilet base.   
     
     
         2 . The toilet of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a tank interior nut; and   a seal configured to seal a space around the at least one coupling anchor and an interior of the tank.   
     
     
         3 . The toilet of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one coupling receptacle includes a collar that rests on a top surface of the toilet base. 
     
     
         4 . The toilet of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one coupling receptacle includes a cylinder within an opening through the toilet base. 
     
     
         5 . The toilet of  claim 4 , wherein the collar forms a locking lip that overlaps the cylinder and the lip is configured to contact the flexible collar lock when the flexible collar locks the at least one coupling anchor to the at least one coupling receptacle. 
     
     
         6 . The toilet of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a flow passage configured to pass liquid from the toilet tank to the toilet base and a toilet bowl.   
     
     
         7 . The toilet of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a multi-port seal configured to seal the at least one coupling receptacle and seal the flow passage.   
     
     
         8 . The toilet of  claim 7 , wherein the multi-port seal includes at least one stabilizing foot. 
     
     
         9 . The toilet of  claim 8 , wherein the stabilizing foot contacts the toilet tank and the toilet base. 
     
     
         10 . The toilet of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a tool configured to push the at least one flexible collar lock toward the at least one coupling anchor to release the at least one flexible collar lock.   
     
     
         11 . The toilet of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a tool holder coupled to the toilet base or the toilet tank to secure the tool.   
     
     
         12 . The toilet of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a pipe nut configured to mate with the coupling anchor.   
     
     
         13 . The toilet of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one coupling anchor includes a tank securing pin and a head to align the at least one coupling anchor to the at least one coupling receptacle. 
     
     
         14 . The toilet of  claim 13 , wherein the head is hexagonal. 
     
     
         15 . The toilet of  claim 13 , wherein the head includes a steering surface configured to slide into the coupling receptacle. 
     
     
         16 . The toilet of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a seal configured to seal the at least one coupling receptacle and stabilize the toilet tank.   
     
     
         17 . An apparatus comprising:
 at least one coupling receptacle connected to a toilet base;   at least one coupling anchor connected to a toilet tank; and   at least one flexible collar lock connected to the at least one coupling anchor and configured to flex inwardly in response to contact with the at least one coupling receptacle and flex outwardly to lock the at least one coupling anchor and the toilet tank to the at least one coupling receptacle and the toilet base.   
     
     
         18 . The toilet of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a tank interior nut; and   a seal configured to seal a space around the at least one coupling anchor and an interior of the tank.   
     
     
         19 . The toilet of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one coupling receptacle includes a collar that rests on a top surface of the toilet base. 
     
     
         20 . The toilet of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one coupling receptacle includes a cylinder within an opening through the toilet base, wherein the collar forms a locking lip that overlaps the cylinder and the lip is configured to contact the flexible collar lock when the flexible collar locks the at least one coupling anchor to the at least one coupling receptacle.